In most instances, the difference between these fighters was razor thin, but in order to validate my selections (as much as validation is even possible), I used the following guidelines in my first book in order to list the top 100 since 1950:

1. Still active


2) Was there a reasonable distribution regarding weight classifications?
Too many heavyweights means something is very wrong.2) Was there
a reasonable distribution regarding era?


3) Did I know enough about each boxer to make a qualitative judgment?
Have I ever seen Percy Bassett fight?


4) Did I benchmark? For example, if Joe Frazier is too far away from Rocky
Marciano, something is probably amiss.


5) Did I avoid personal bias in making the selections? Was Bobby Chacon a
valid choice?


6) Did Hall of Fame induction bias my selections?